Thursday, November 26, 2015

Georgia Sheriff's Christmas Sign Peeves Atheists

Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley personally paid for this county welcome sign because he says, "It's time for the silent majority to stand up for our beliefs and not be ashamed."

Welcome to Harris County, Georgia! WARNING: Harris County is politically incorrect. We say: Merry Christmas, God Bless America and In God We Trust. We salute our troops and our flag. If this offends you... LEAVE!

Sometimes political correctness does go too far, but Sheriff Jolley’s sign is not a real effort to rein in the so-called “PC police.” Instead, he seeks a nation in which everyone shares a narrow set of beliefs or finds another place to live.

How confused can one guy get? In Jolley’s case, extremely confused. If Jolley were acting in his capacity as a private citizen, he could put up such a sign without issue. But the placement of an official-looking sign outside the sheriff’s office looks a lot like a government endorsement of belief over non-belief and possibly a violation of the First Amendment.

Beyond that, the sign calls Jolley’s ability to do his job into question. He has sent a message of intimidation to anyone who does not believe in God – or celebrate Christmas, for that matter. This action casts doubt on his ability to treat everyone fairly.

“Over the years, I’ve witnessed the silent majority grow and as a true patriot and a Christian, I felt it was time for the silent majority to speak up. I truly believe what’s on the sign,” Jolley told WTVM.

Jolley says he knows that not everyone will agree with or like what he posted, and he’s OK with that.

“I spent 20 years in the United States Army in defense of those people who want to say they don’t support the sign and I fought for that right to have the ability to say they don’t support it,” Jolley said.